Health

​Routine Care​We believe in the importance of routine health care for your Bengal. This includes annual wellness exams by a veterinarian, following recommended vaccine schedules, and deworming based on the lifestyle of your cat (indoor vs outdoor vs mixed). Due to our role as a breeder and having several litters of kittens per year, we include regular fecal exam testing for each litter that screens for ovum and parasites, as well as giardia testing.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends a yearly annual wellness exam for cats. This is to catch any potential health issues early in the course of their development and therefore treating early if possible. The AVMA recommends yearly Bordetella (Kennel Cough) and Feline Leukemia Vaccines, and the FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia) to be administered every 3 years after the initial 3 shot series as a kitten. Kittens should typically be given the FVRCP vaccination starting at six - eight weeks old, and then once every four weeks until the kitten reaches 16 weeks of age. This vaccine can include Chlamydia prevention as well and is typically recommended. The Rabies vaccine can be given yearly or every 3 years, depending on the formulation that your veterinarian carries. The Rabies vaccine and FELV must be given by a veterinarian, while the FVRCP and Bordetella vaccines are typically available at pet or livestock stores. We strongly recommend caution when buying your own vaccines.

Speak with your veterinarian regarding their recommended screening tests, as this will change based on the age and lifestyle of your cat. Follow their advice for deworming, flea/tick treatments, and dental cleanings as well. There is an expression in medicine that applies to both humans and animals, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” so keeping up to date on the routine screening can pay off in the long run.​

​Insurance​​There is always the unfortunate possibility of unforeseen veterinary medical expenses. Valley Cats Bengals is excited to have partnered with Trupanion Pet insurance to provide peace of mind if unexpected emergencies or illnesses do occur. We offer 30 days of free pet insurance starting the day that you take your kitten home. This provides coverage in the event of necessary diagnostic testing, emergency visits, or expenses related to hereditary or congenital conditions.

​Bengal Breed Predispositions

Like any other purebred animal, Bengals tend to carry certain genetic predispositions toward specific diseases that can and should be tested or screened for. Regardless of the cattery that you choose to purchase your Bengal from, make sure that they can provide proof of genetic testing from the parents. This ensures that these diseases are not being perpetuated by irresponsible or unethical breeders. You can find our health documentation for each of our cats on their profiles.

Bengal PRA​

Progressive Retinal Atrophy is an autosomal recessive disorder. This means that the animal can be affected with the disease, carry the disease, or have no mutation for the disease. A carrier may exhibit mild or decreased symptoms, or no symptoms at all. If a Bengal is a carrier, that means that if it is bred with an unaffected Bengal, ½ of the offspring will be carriers and ½ will be unaffected. If it is bred with another carrier, ¼ of the offspring will be unaffected, ¼ will have the disease, and ½ will be carriers. Two unaffected Bengals bred together cannot produce an offspring that has the disease or carries the mutation. Therefore, genetic testing of all animals that are intended for breeding is absolutely necessary. When a Bengal is affected by PRA, it first starts experiencing symptoms of loss of vision as young as 7 weeks old. Complete loss of vision typically occurs by around 2 years of age. Loss of vision occurs because the photoreceptors, the cells in the back of the eye, are destroyed by the Bengal’s own body. Currently, this mutation is only known to occur in Bengals for reasons that are still being studied.

PK Deficiency

Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase is an enzyme found in red blood cells that allow them to use glucose for energy. A genetic mutation can occur that makes this enzyme less effective. This is also an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. This deficiency manifests as periods of hemolytic anemia, the breakdown of red blood cells due to more fragile cell membranes.